Journal box lid assembly



March 28, 1961 J. A. sHAFER ETAL JOURNAL Box LID ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 @alf-'a III Filed Dec. 5l, 1956 March 28, 1961 J, A. sHAFER ErAL JOURNAL Box LID ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 5l, 1956 March 28, 1961 J. A. sHAFl-:R ETAL 2,977,159

JOURNAL Box LID ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 31, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 28, 1961 J. A. SHAFER m-AL 2,977,159

JOURNAL Box LID ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 5l, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JOURNAL vBX LID ASSEMBLY James A. Shafer, East Cleveland, and Hans B. Weber, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to National Malleable and Steel Castings Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio 1 Filed Dec. 31,1956, Ser.No. 631,567

l2 Claims. (Cl. 30S- 47) which the lids are subjected in service on the railroads.

in this connection, many prior art lids have generally comprised, as the operating parts, a lid or cover member, a spring member for providing the closing force for the lid, a comparatively heavy hood member for containing the spring, and retaining means for maintaining the hood, spring, and lid members in assembled relationship.

The present invention provides a comparatively simple journal box lid yarrangement generally comprising a lid or plate member for covering the access opening in the journal box and a spring member for maintaining the lid in open or closed position, and attaching means for maintaining the lid and spring in assembled relationship.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the invention to provide a lid assembly for the journal boxes of railway cars which comprises a minimum of parts and which is economical to produce and assemble.

Another object of the invention is to provide a journal box lid assembly which doesnot include the usual hood member but comprises a novel spring member which not only supplies the closing force for the lid, -but also serves to connect and position the lid assembly to the box.

A more specilic object of the invention is to provide a journal box lid assembly for railway vehicles which comprises a lid or closure member, a spring member having coil or loop portions adapted to encircle the hinge pin of the journal box for connecting the lid assembly to the box, and leg portions having bearing relationship to the lid to hold the latter against the open face of the journal box, and attachment means for maintaining the lid-and spring in proper assembled relationship.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a journal boxV lid assembly in which the spring member includes a handle portion for opening or closing of the lid to eliminate substantially all stress from the attachment means connecting the spring means and lid member during said opening and closing of the lid assembly.

The various features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of the lid assembly embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the Fig.V 1 lid assembly shown applied to a journal box, the dot-dash lines illustrating the open position of the lid.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational View, illustrating a modified form of the lid assembly.

States Pattlf F LICS Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of a lid assembly, illustrating another modification of the invention. I

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the Fig. 6 lid assem- 'bly shown applied to a journal box, the dot-dash lines illustrating the open position of the lid.y

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of' a lid assembly embodying a further modification of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the Fig. 8 lid assembly shown applied to a journal box.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the lid in open position.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to Figs. l-3, inclusive, there is shown a journal box 10 having a front opening l2 for access to the inside of the box, and a conventional hinge lug 14 which is -apertureg for receiving a horizontal -pivot pin 16.

The lid assembly generally comprises a lid or closure member 18, a coil spring member 20, and retaining means or strap member 22. The lid member 18 may be formed of pressed metal or cast metal, depending upon the manufacturers preference, and also upon the particular service conditions under which the lid assembly is to be used.

Lid 18, when in closed position (Fig. 2), completely 4blankets or covers access opening 12 in journal box 10 to effectively prevent foreign matter from entering into the interior of the journal box. n provided with an inwardly extending rib 24 which is generally rectangular in shape and which strengthens or stitiens the member. Rib 24 also serves to redirect any lubricant impinged against the inside surface of the lid in serv ice, back into the interior of the journal box. Rib 2e tits fairly close to the walls of the journal box, delining opening 12, and completely encircles substantially liat central portion 26 of the lid. Walls 26a of the lid slope outwardly and rearwardly from central portion 26 and merge with rib 24 to form depression 2Gb of generally rectangular configuration in the front face of the lid. Extending completely around the periphery of the lid is a continuous ange 28 turned rearwardly or inwardly with respect to the latter (Figs. 2 and 3). Flange 28 encircles the walls of opening 12 of the journal box and in addition to strengthening the lid, functions as a shield to direct water or dirt away from the lid-box juncture to enhance the sealing etects of the lid. A projecting portion 30-is formed at the lower end of the lid ofthis embodiment to provide handle means for opening and closing of the lid assembly.

In accordance with the invention, slots or depressions 32 (Figs. 1 and 3), are formed in the front Iface of the lid for accommodating portions of spring 20 therein. In the instant embodiment, slots 32 are disposed diagonally with respect to the vertical center line of lid 18, extend beyond the periphery of central portion 26 of the lid and merge with sloping walls 26a thereof.

e Torsion spring 20, in the `present embodiment, com- I prises a pair of spaced coil portions 34 and V36r-t`ormed centrally thereof about a common axis and terminating in leg portions 38 and 40. The'connected ends of the coils are formed into an inverted U-shaped looped por.- tion 42 which extends toward the top of the lid assembly and is joined to the coils by horizontal portions 42a. Loop portion 42 is provided with a roller 43 forengaging the hinge lug 14 on the journal box vto maintain coils 34 and k36 stressed for holding the lid in open or closedV position. Leg portions 38 and 40ct the spring convergeinwardly toward the vertical centerline of 'the' lid in a direction away 'from intermediate 'loop portion 42 of the spring and are received in bearing relationship in the aforementioned recesses v32 in the lid face. It willbe seen that recesses VZinlaintain spring legs Y318 and The inner side of lid 1S is 3 40 in ldefinite balanced relationship on opposite sides of the central portion of lid member 18 and that the spring legs are in direct bearing relationship with the lid. Thus, the lid is maintained against the journal box opening by the spring directly and not through some intermediate member. It will also be noted that coils 34- and 35 encircle the hinge pin 16 in generally abutting relationship with the outer ends or sides of the hinge lug 14 and thus hold the lid assembly in proper position on the journal box. In this connection, in accordance with the invention, the diagonal slope of recesses 32 provides a n wedging action between the lid and spring legs to ensure that the lid will not inadvertently move downwardly out of assembled relationship with the spring. This construction permits ange 28 to be continuous along the top of the lid, thereby providing an efficient closure of the journal box opening.

As can be best seen from Fig. 2, each of the spring legs adjacent its free end `comprises a portion 44 which is so formed as to extend in the plane of the lid to provide a substantial bearing area between `the spring leg and the associated complementary recess 32. It will be noted that bearing portions 44 are received in generally close surface-to-surface relationship with the adjacent surfaces of recesses 32 to substantially eliminate any transverse movement of lid 18 with respect to the spring legs 38 and 40. Adjacent the lower end of portion 44, each of the spring legs lis bent upwardly or outwardly with respect to the plane of lid 18 to form a hook portion 44a for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Retaining strap or clip 22 is, attached to the central portion 2,6 of the lid, as by means of rivets 45, and extends into engaged overlapping relationship with bearing portions 44 of the spring legs` (Figs. l and 3) to positively maintain the lid 18 and spring 20 in assembled relationship. In this connection, the aforementioned hook portions 44a of the spring legs are adapted for engagement with the lower extremity of strap 22 if the attaching means (Le. rivets 45 and strap 22) should become somewhat loose after a period of service and thus ensure that the lid will not move downwardly out of assembled relationship with the spring.

Thus, the lid assembly, comprising a minimum of parts, is positively held in tight sealing relationship with the face of the journal box opening.

When it is desired to raise the lid to the open position, as shown in dot-dash in Fig. 2, an upward force is applied to handle portion 30 on the lid which causes Ithe latter to rotate about pivot pin 16. ln this connection, it will be seen that the overlapping bearing relationship of strap member 22 with respect to bearing portions 44- of the spring legs (Fig. 3) maintains the lid and spring members in generally rigidly connected condition during opening of the lid assembly. It will be observed that in open position of the lid, leg portions 3S and 40 of the spring are in contact with horizontal portions 42a. Thus, when a closing force is applied to the lid, roller 43 will be positively urged along the surface of hinge lug 14 as the lid begins to move toward closed position. The aforesaid contact ceases at an intermediate point in the closing of the lid and in closed position a clearance (as at c) exists between leg portions 38 and 40 and portions 42a.

Assembly of the journal box lid arrangement is preferably as follows:

The legs 38 and 40 of spring 20 are placed in proper position in recesses 32. in cover plate 18, and strap meansy 22 isriveted in the position'shown. The lid assembly is then in proper condition for storage or for shipment as a unit. When it is desired to install the lid assembly on a journal box, the lid is held in about open position, as shown in dot-dash in Fig. 2, with the transverse axis of the coils approximately aligned with the axis of the opening in the journal box hinge lug 14. Pivot pin 16 is then driven through the coils and through the hinge lug opening to maintain the lid in assembled condition on 4 the box. The slotted end of the pivot pin 16 is then spread apart, as shown in Fig. l, to complete the assembly operation. 'Thus it will be seen that the lid assembly is expeditiously and simply installed on the journal box with a -minimum of effort.

It will be understood therefore that a rugged lid assembly is provided which is economical to produce and assemble. The lid comprises a minimum of parts and effectively seals the opening in a railway journal box.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, there is shown a modification of the invention. In this embodiment, the recesses 46 in the central portion 26 of the lid 18 and the lower sections of the legs 48 of spring 20 are not diagonally extending as in the previous embodiment, but extend generally vertically in equally spaced or parallel relationship. Furthermore, recesses 46 are of generally arcuate configuration in a vertical direction, as can be best seen from Fig. 5. The free ends of legs 48 of the spring of this embodiment are provided with arcuately curved portions 48a which are generally cornplementary to the configuration of recesses 46 and are receivable therein in bearing relationship. Each of the spring legs is also provided with stop portions 4817 disposed adjacent the upper and lower extremities of portion 48a but which are spaced, as shown, from the front face of the lid. In this embodiment, retaining strap 50 is attached to the lid in a similar manner, as in the first described embodiment, but is of a generally arcuate configuration in a vertical direction, to conform to the contour of bearing portions 43a of the spring legs. Portions 48a are preferably curved along a slightly larger radius than recesses 46a so that upon the application of strap 5t) to the lid, a slight flexing of portions 48a is effected to assure a tight but flexible connection.

This arcuate coniiguration of bearing portions 43a, recesses 46 and strap member Si? provides for limited angiing of the lid member relative to the journal box opening and thereby permits the lid to adjust itself on the journal box to ensure maintenance of a sealing relationship therebetween. In this connection, a small clearance is provided between portions 4gb of the spring legs and the lid. Thus, portions 48h serve to limit the amount the lid can angle vertically with respect to the journal box. lt will be noted that in this embodiment, recesses 46 do not extend into wall portions 26a of the lid body, but are entirely disposed within central portion Z5 thereof. The remainder of the lid assembly is substantially identical to the rst described embodiment ot the invention.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a further modication of the invention, wherein the spring leg-receiving recesses SZ' in the front face of lid 1S are generally vertically extending, as in the Figs. 4 and 5 embodiment of the invention, but extend beyond the periphery of central portion 26 of the lid into sloping walls 26a.

Torsion spring 54 in this embodiment comprises spaced coil portions 56 and 5S and intermediate loop-shaped portion 59 which is provided with a roller 43, as in the previous described embodiments of the invention, lt will be noted, however, that in this embodiment coil portions 56 and 58 do not encircle pivot pin 16 but are disposed downwardly from the pin when the lid is in closed position and thus loop portion 59 extends upwardly a greater amount, with respect to coil portions 56 and 58, than does loop 42 in Fig. l. The outer end of each of coil portions 56 and S8 is bent upwardly and rearwardly to form `a coil or loop 60 which encircles the usual hinge pin 16 in generally abutting relationship with the associated outer end of the hinge lug 14, to maintain the lid assembly in proper position on the journal box. 'It will be noted that loops 60 of the spring are disposed upwardly and rearwardly from coils 56 and 58 when the journal box lid assembly is in closed position, and locate the upper portion of the spring away from bearing contact with the top portion of the lid or plate 18. `From, each `of loops 60, the spring Wire is then bent to extend downwardly and inwardly with respect to the plane of lid 18 to form'legs 62.

lEach of legs 62 extends generally vertically downwardly, parallel to the other leg, and 'is received in bearing relationship in one of the aforementioned vertical recesses 52 in the lid. As in the irst embodiment of the invention, the free ends of legs 62 comprise bearing portions 62a which extend generally in the plane of the lid to provide substantial bearing area between the legs 62 and the complementary recesses 52 in the lid. Adjacent the lower ends of bearing portions 62a, the spring legs are bent upwardly to form hook portions 62th in the same manner and for Ythe same purpose as in the iirst described embodiment of the invention. The remainder of the lid arrangement and its assembly on the journal box is generally similar to the previous described embodiments of theV invention.

As will beV understood by those skilled in the art, the spring 54 of this embodiment provides greater deflection characteristics, as compared to the previous ernbodiments, since it embodies not only coil portions 56 and 58, but also coils 60. Moreover, greater deiiection characteristics are also provided by the greater height or dimension of roller loop portion 59 of the spring. As a result, the upper section of the spring is subjected to lower stresses during opening and closing of the lid and its closing force Will be less affected by wear of the parts in service. Thus it will maintain the required closing force against the face of the journal box opening for a longer period of 'service than the more highly stressed spring of the previous embodiment.

Figs. 8, 9 and l0 illustrate a further modification of the invention. Iin this embodiment the lower ends of the legs 66 of theV springadjacent bearing portions 68 are bent upwardly and inwardly and are joined, as by welding, to form a curved handle portion 70. Thus, the spring in the instant arrangement forms a continuous path and has no free ends. Handle portion 70 provides a convenient means for opening and closing the lid. In this connection, it will be understood that during opening and closing of the lid by means of handle 70, substantiallyrno stress is placed upon the retaining strap member 72 and its connecting means to the lid, which is not the case in the previous embodiments of the invention. IIn the instant embodiment, substantially all of the opening and closing force is applied tothe pivot pin 16 through loops 74 which encircle the pin. In the previous forms, the connection between the spring andlid is subjected to stress during the opening and closing operations Vbecause the opening and closing forces are applied to the lower end of the lid proper.

It will be noted thatl in this embodiment, the loop portion or bearing coils 74 of the spring, which encircle the pivot pin and maintain the lid assembly in proper position, comprise a plurality of loops, whereas in the Figs. 6 and 7 arrangement, only a single loop was used, thus the spring in this arrangement has a greater bearing area with respect to the pivot pin.

Referring to lFig. 10, which shows the modified lid in open position, it will be seen that in the latter position the upper portion of the lid and associated peripheral `liange 28 engages., as at 75, the front surface of the hinge lug 14 and thus aid in maintaining the stability of the open lid assembly. This 4latter feature is also found in the Figs. 6 and 7 arrangement of the invention. Coil portions .76 and intermediate roller loop portion 78 of the present embodiment are generally similar to the corresponding portions of the Figs. 6 and 7 arrangement, while the leg portions 66 and complementary recess structure 79 on the lid are generally similar to the iirst described embodiment of the invention. The remainder of the lid arrangement and assembly thereof is generally similar to the previous described embodiments of the invention.

From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, ittwill be readily understood that the invention provides a journal box lid assembly for installation on the journal box of a railway vehicle, comprising a lid orcover member for sealing the front opening of the journal box, a spring member for direct assembled relationship with the pivotpin of the box and having bearing portions'in direct engagement with recesses in the lid member for maintaining the latter in said sealed relationship with the journal box, and a retaining strap member for maintaining the lid and spring in assembled condition, It will also be understood that such a lid assemblyV is economical to produce and assemble, and effectively seals the front opening of the journal box under all operating conditions. l

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation and there is no intention inthe use yof such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modiiications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a lid assembly for an open-faced railway journal box, a lid member, a torsion spring member having a central portion comprising spaced coils positioned adjacent the upper end of said member for encircling an associated hinge pin of a journal box for connecting said assembly to the box, said coils having downwardly extending legs'for direct wedging engagement with said lid member to hold the latter in sealing relationship against the open face of the box, means for securing said legs to said lid member to resist rotation of the lid relative to thev legs about an axis extending through said means parallel to the axis of the hinge pin, said means comprising a strap member attached centrally of said lid member and extending transversely across said legs for securing said spring and lid members in assembled relationship.

2. A journal box lid assembly for an open-faced railwas journal box having a hinge lug thereon and a pivot pin associated with said lug, said assembly comprising a lid member, a torsion spring having a central portion comprising spaced coils positioned adjacent the upper end of said member for encircling said pin for attaching said assembly to said box and leg sections extending downwardlygfrom said coils and engaging said lid member to hold the latter against the face of said box, means for securingdsaid leg sections to said lid member to resist rotation of the lid relative to the leg `sections about an axis extending through said means, said means comprising astrap member attached to said lid member and extending transversely across said leg sections to maintain said spring and lid members in assembled condition, said leg sections having the lower extremities thereof extending generally outwardly with respect to the plane of said lid for engaging said strap member to support the lid in the event the latter becomes loose relative to said spring in service. u

3. A journal box lid assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein the lower extremities of the leg sections are connected to form a handle for opening and closing said assembly.

4. In a lid for closing the front face opening of a railway journal box, a generally Hat member having a continuous peripheral liange for overlapping the delining walls of the journal box opening, said member comprising a central section generally disposed in the plane of said lid and walls sloping away and inwardly from said section toward said liange and deining a continuous rib encircling said central section, and generally vertically disposed elongaed slots formed in the front surface of said central section for receiving therein portions of an associated spring member, means for securing said spring member to saidlid to resist rotation of the lid relative to the spring about an axis extending through said means, said means comprising a strap member attached centrally of said lid and kextending transversely across said legs for securing said spring member to the lid in assembled relationship.

5. In a lid assembly for an open-faced railway journal box having a hinge lug projecting therefrom and a pivot pin associated with said lug, said assembly comprising a lid member for closing the front opening of said journal box, a spring member engaging a roller member associated with said hinge lug and having coil portions for providing the force for holding the lid assembly in open or closed position and loop portions adjacent said coil portions encircling said pin for connecting the lid assembl-y to said box, said loop portions .terminating in leg portions `which extend downwardly therefrom Vto engage said lid member in direct bearing relationship to hold the latter in sealing relationship with said box, means for securing said leg portions to said lid member to resist rotation of the lid member relative to the leg portions about an axis extending through said means, said means comprising a strap member attached centrally of said lid member and extending transversely across said leg portions for securing spring and lid members in assembled relationship, said coil portions being disposed forwardly and downwardly of said loop portions when the lid assembly is in closed position on said box.

6. ln a lid assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein said lid member comprises a continuous flange extending around the periphery thereof, the upper end of said lid member engaging the front face of said hinge lug when the lid assembly is in open position.

7. A lid assembly for an open-faced railway journal box having a hinge lug projecting upwardly therefrom and a pivot pin associated with said lug, said assembly comprising a lid member having generally elongated recesses in the front face thereof, a torsion spring member having a central portion comprising spaced coils positioned adjacent the upper end of said member for encircling said pin for connecting said assembly to said box and leg sections extending downwardly from said coils, said leg sections comprising bearing portions which are received in said recesses in direct bearing relationship with said lid member to hold the latter against the face of'sad box, Vmeans for securing said leg sections to said lid member to resist rotation of the lid member relative to the leg sections about an axis extending through said means, said means comprising a strap member attached to said lid member and extending transversely across said leg-sections for securing said lid and springmembers in assembled relationship.

8. A lid assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said strap member .is arcuately curved in vertical cross section and engages said portions -in bearing relationship therewith.

9. A lid assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said leg sections comprise stop portions located adjacent the top and bottom extremities of said bearing portions,

said stop portions extending generally parallel to said lid member but being spaced therefrom.

10. In a lid assembly for a railway journal box Va lid member and means for attaching said member to 'the box, said means comprising a spring having a pair of spaced loop portions for encircling an associated hinge pin on the box, a pair of spaced coil portions disposed adjacent said loop portions, a central portion joining said coil portions and having means for engaging an associated hinge lug on the box, and leg portions extending downwardly from said loop portions and means for securing said leg portions to said member to resist rotation of the lid member relative to the leg portions about an axis extending through said means, said means comprising a strap lmember attached centrally of said lid member and extending transversely across said leg portions for securing said spring and lid member in assembled relationship.

11. ln a lid assembly for an open-faced railway journal box, a lid member comprising recesses in the front face thereof, said recesses converging toward'the Vertical center line of said lid member in a downward direction, a torsion spring member having a central portion comprising'spaced coils Apositioned adjacent the upper end of said member for encircling an associated hinge pin of a journal box for connecting said assembly to the box, said coils having downwardly extending leg portions, said recesses receiving said leg portions in wedging engagement therewith so as to hold the lid member in sealing relation against the open face of the box, and a `strap member attached centrally of said lid membersfor securing said spring and lid member in assembled relationship.

12. A tension spring member for providing the force for holding a railway journal box lid assembly in open or closed position, said spring member comprising transversely spaced coil portions, the inner ends of said coil portions being connected by kan intermediate inverted U-shaped portion having a roller member associated therewith for engagement with the hinge lug of a journal box, the outer ends of said coil portions being connected to loop portions which are adapted to encircle an associated pivot `pin of a journal box, said llast mentioned portions being disposed upwardly and rearwardly of said coil portions, and leg portions extending generally downwardly from said loop portions and joined to form a Yhandle portion for opening and closing an associated journal box lid assembly.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNlTED 'STATES PATENTS 1,505,405 Mohun Aug. 19, 1924 1,650,761 Lucas et al Nov. 29, 1927 1,650,688 Brautigam Nov. 29, 1927 1,663,705 Hostettler c- Mar. 27, 1928 1,914,475 Barrows .lune 20, 1933 2,255,866 Weber Sept. 16, 1941 2,532,436 Arnold Dec. 5, 1950 

